TMJ Timetable

[MattCalamia]

Hey all,

first post here. I've had T for about 5 weeks now (not TOO bad, but just enough to get me here). A few days before that, I had pretty bad jaw pain, leading me to believe it was TMJ. I went to a dentist and he said the same. Went to two different ENTs who found nothing in my ear to explain the T, and both said the TMJ was the likely cause of the ringing.

I've been wearing a mouth guard at night for almost a month, and while the jaw pain has greatly subsided, the ringing is persisting.

So long story short, wondering if anyone had success reducing their T most likely caused by TMJ with the mouth guard, and how long it took to get some relief.

Thanks a lot,

Matt

 

[glynis]

A warm welcome to the forum.
I have TMJ and wear a mouth guard.
It helps with pain and crunching but not my tinnitus because my tinnitus is through Menieres Disease not TMJ.
I'm sure it will help you so keep wearing it as takes the pressure off your jaw joint and inflammation that is by your middle ear causing tinnitus.......lots of love glynis

 

[Nucleo]

Just a question are you just wearing a regular mouth guard or a custom splint made from an imprint of your teeth?

 

[MattCalamia]

@Nucleo I have a custom made guard with an imprint from my teeth. My dentist made it. Like I said, it helps to relieve the pain in my jaw but my T has remained, though hasn't gotten worse and at times, I'm not noticing it.

 

[MattCalamia]

One other thing I forgot to mention: when I bite down hard or move my jaw inward (hard to explain) the level of the tinnitus increases dramatically. Think this is a sign they're related?

 

[carlover]

Hello buddy ......im not one for long typing but can I say TMJD will not go away with a mouthguard and cannot be diagnosed without an MRI scan.If you have real TMJD it takes maybe 2/3 years of treatments and an awful lot of money ,dont be taken in by anyone who says its a quick fix ,believe me ive been there good luck

 

[untamed wolf]

Hey! I am in the exact same situation as you. No ear problems and T. Prior to the T I had a jaw that felt out of place and my bite felt narrow, I couldn't bite down for more than 2 seconds before it was forced up. I have a mouthguard too. Only had it on for 5 days but I'm giving it a month before I seek out a real TMJ specialist. I think you shouldn't wait to seek one out. I am not so lucky to get an MRI because no one will offer me the solution yet, if you can get one and get some answers do it! I have heard that T is the last thing to go when it is TMJ related, but only if you treat it and it takes close to a year. Keep us updated if you do anything, since our situation is so similar I would like to hear about your jaw problems. Like how did they start? or how did it feel?

 

[MattCalamia]

@carlover certainly not looking for a quick fix, but wondering what the timetable was. glad you gave me one. What other treatments should I be on the lookout for?

@untamed wolf my jaw really didn't hurt much until around the New Year. I started having a grating and clicking sounds when I'd move my jaw forward. It would go from one side to the other, and I developed soreness and tenderness. I went to my dentist and he said it was most likely TMJD. I got fitted for a mouthguard that I've been wearing nearly a month. The pain in the jaw has subsided dramatically. It actually feels really great. The only problem that remains is the T, which bothered me more than the pain in the jaw, to be honest. If I can get the T (which is really only bad when I listen for it or when the room is too quiet) I'd be fine.

 

[linearb]

this is a decent book:
http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Control-TMJ-Temporomandibular-Fibromyalgia/dp/1572241268

it's not completely clear how TMJ is related to tinnitus; most people with tinnitus can manipulate the sound to some extent with jaw movement, even if they don't have TMJ. The current thinking is that there is abnormal sensory crossover happening in a part of the brain called the dorsal cochlear nucleus which integrates sensory data.

 

[MattCalamia]

Does it say whether that is treatable? @linearb

 

[linearb]

Does it say whether that is treatable? @linearb

well, sensory crossover in the brain probably doesn't have much to do with TMJ, except to the degree that TMJ causes more muscle-related sensory data to be generated in the first place.

It's also possible that long-term muscle tension or bad placement of the jaw might compress some of the nerve structures there and damage them. In that case they might or might not eventually heal if you can take the pressure off -- nerves generally take a really long time to heal compared to other kinds of tissue.

If you have TMJ pain issues, really all you can do is try to treat them as best you can, and then see what happens with the tinnitus over a 6-12 month period.

 

[MattCalamia]

Great. Much thanks! @linearb

 

[carlover]

Matt ,not saying use this guy at but hes got a good website and obviously knows what hes doing good info to read that is all

https://www.michigantmjandsleep.com/patient-stories/

 

[Ears Hurt]

I have TMJ and T also. I am not sure if it was related to a car accident or a buzzer. It started slowly over time after the accident and became 24/7. I got rear-ended in early 2014. I've been wearing a mouth guard for over a year with no improvement, so I recently switched doctors. I am hoping this one helps. I also fear that this was from abuse from an ex that keep holding the buzzer in at my house which felt like almost and hour. I had ringing in the ear afterwards, but it subsided after a few weeks. This happened in late 2012 but not sure it can be related with the time delay in showing up. The sound in my ear reminds me of the horrid day daily. Just wanted to get other opinions on if theirs started right away or days or years later from sound trauma. I am just trying to figure out if mine is due to the TMJ or the buzzer. Opinions welcome! I've been lurking on the site and finally decided to post. I was and still find myself a mess over this whole T symptom. Praying daily to be rid of this torture.

 

[Angie Wilches]

Hey there!

So I have had T in my right ear for about a year already and for the first time I am able to finally feel some relief. After 3 ENT's, 2 Dentists, and an Audiologist I am able to confirm that my T is from TMJD.

My symptoms were: Tinnitus, If I touched my jaw, right side of my face, or ear the T would get worse, ear fullness, dizziness, really painful jaw pains to the point where I had to take Ibuprofen to sleep two nights in a row when my T first started, Jaw pains in general, Pains around my ears and behind them, sharp ear pains, my mouth didn't open very wide which an ENT said had to do because of grinding my teeth at night, Jaw alignment was so off, jaw clicking, and scariest of all mild hearing loss. I do believe that my hearing loss was due to T because the fist ENT I went to 4 months into my T said that my hearing was normal and she didn't really know what to tell me besides that it was allergies. The T didn't go away and 4 months later I went to another ENT and was told that I had hearing loss and that's what was causing the T. I was confused because my previous ENT said I had no hearing loss and I already had T for about 4 months so how could that be.

I was misdiagnosed with Meniere's Disease by two ENTs but that's another story that I could tell you about if anyone would like to hear about it.

My dentist that also specializes in TMJD and my audiologist diagnosed me with TMJD and said that there was no way I had Meniere's. I have been wearing a custom splint and doing TENS therapy for three weeks and wow I have never felt better!!!!!! The first two weeks with my splint I didn't really notice much difference and was kind losing hope. Before the splint I would have days with constant ringing or really bad days where my T was unbearable. When I started wearing the splint I had constant days or okay days where the ringing wasn't as bad. But the third week WOW I finally have had some peace from the annoying ringing......my T was always constantly ringing. I couldn't even touch my ear, jaw, or the right side of my face without the ringing getting worse. It was miserable. From a scale 1 to 1o (10 being the worse), My T has gone down from a constant 6 to a 1 and on some days maybe a 2. Also all the jaw problems I've had have gotten better.

I am shocked that the T is the symptom that has been relieved the most because a lot of stories I've read have said that T is usually the last to go with treatment. My audiologist also prescribed me with Tanken ginkgo biloba 80 mg and told me with this medicine, TENS, and my splint therapy my T should completely go within a couple months.

For the first time in a while I am feeling so hopeful!! All I'm saying is to stay positive and hopeful! Your T will get better! Mine did after having it for an entire year so yours could too!

Hope this helps!!

 

[Ears Hurt]

@Angie Wilches how did the doctors determine it was from the TMJ? I have tightness in my jaw, but nobody ever told me that could be related to the ringing in my ears. I have an appointment next week to follow up on this... I just don't know how they can determine what the cause is from or is it just trial and error to see if it helps.

 

[Hariz Nonis]

@Angie Wilches how did the doctors determine it was from the TMJ? I have tightness in my jaw, but nobody ever told me that could be related to the ringing in my ears. I have an appointment next week to follow up on this... I just don't know how they can determine what the cause is from or is it just trial and error to see if it helps.

I too haven't seen a dentist. I figured out my T is most likely related to TMD when I heard a cracking sound from my jaw while eating. In fact, I most likely had TMD way before my T because I went through the cracking sound thing while eating one day. I also realise right after waking up, that while sleeping, I tend to grit my teeth. This action can also be a cause of TMD.

 

[JasonP]

I have TMJ and T also. I am not sure if it was related to a car accident or a buzzer. It started slowly over time after the accident and became 24/7. I got rear-ended in early 2014. I've been wearing a mouth guard for over a year with no improvement, so I recently switched doctors. I am hoping this one helps. I also fear that this was from abuse from an ex that keep holding the buzzer in at my house which felt like almost and hour. I had ringing in the ear afterwards, but it subsided after a few weeks. This happened in late 2012 but not sure it can be related with the time delay in showing up. The sound in my ear reminds me of the horrid day daily. Just wanted to get other opinions on if theirs started right away or days or years later from sound trauma. I am just trying to figure out if mine is due to the TMJ or the buzzer. Opinions welcome! I've been lurking on the site and finally decided to post. I was and still find myself a mess over this whole T symptom. Praying daily to be rid of this torture.

If you are still suffering I would recommend going to a hearing aid place that does free hearing tests. See if you have some hearing loss that can be corrected with a hearing loss and if so, how much a hearing aid w/ maskers would be. They usually give you a trial period in which you can return your aids for a refund. I had to do that a few years ago when I was finally tortured by T. It helped a lot but later I also had to get on a mood stabilizer (Lamictal) due to my depression issues. I am not saying you should use Lamictal but for me it has helped because of my mood swings and past depression. I also take klonopin but wish I didn't have to take it because it is addictive and I am building up tolerance (Withdrawal from klonopin can be a nightmare). So far I am doing much better overall. I'll see what happens. Time will tell.

 

[Ears Hurt]

I have an appointment today with a TMJ specialist, so I hope they know what they are taking about... I've had my hearing tested previously, I have normal hearing with no loss. I already have maskers which do help a lot.

 

[glynis]

@Ears Hurt ,
How did you go on today with your TMJ specialist ?....lots of love glynis

 

[Ears Hurt]

@glynis Hi Glynis, thank you for asking I haven't gone yet. My appointment is at 3:30. I've been watching the clock all day today. Please wish me luck.

 

[glynis]

Wish you luck ...it's 18.45 here in England so look forward to hear how you got on...lots of love glynis

 

[Ears Hurt]

It is 1:50 here on the East Coast of the US. Another 1.5 hours to go. I will keep you posted. Luck is definitely welcomed I love how supportive you are to everyone. You seem to always be the first person to welcome all of the new visitors to the forum. I thank you for that...

 

[glynis]

Aww thank you for your kind words ...lots of love glynis

 

[Ears Hurt]

Hi Glynis - my appointment went well. I definitely have tmj so getting formal treatment on that but they can't confirm if the ringing is related. She says it might be a separate issue. Also, she is sending me for a sleep study consult to help get me sleeping again. Thank you again for asking. I've been in a bad place recently so it's nice to share experiences with people that understand.

 

[glynis]

Are you having a mouth guard made ?
A sleep study is good and can rule out sleep apnia etc......
I sleep fine but due to medication....Keep me posted on how you are doing.
Tinnitus can cause unwanted emotions and low mood but we are all here to support each other ....lots of love glynis

 

[Cillian]

@Ears Hurt its funny because that's exactly what was I told they weren't sure if my T is from TMJ I guess only time will tell

 

[Ears Hurt]

@Cillian wow! Sounds like we are on the same path. Let's be positive time gives us good news and relief. It's nice to compare stories.

 

[Ears Hurt]

@glynis yes, I'm getting a new mouth guard made to push my lower jaw out. Is this typical? I was told that will help take pressure off. Also going to get cold laser treatments. I don't like taking medication so I'm trying to get through this without. I've had all sorts of crazy emotions lately with lots of crying. I'll keep you posted. Praying for all of us xoxo

 

[glynis]

Yes the jaw guard will take the pressure off.....might feel strange at first....lots of love glynis